Bing Crosby Productions executive Meta Rosenberg (later executive producer of "The Rockford Files") first offered the role of Dr. Ben Casey to Cliff Robertson and Jack Lord before finally settling on Vince Edwards. Edwards gave one of the 60's great series performances as Ben Casey and the series made him a big star. "Ben Casey" was also very well produced with literate, provocative scripts, beautiful black and white photography, and fine guest stars. Meta Rosenberg had gotten Bing Crosby Productions off to a fine start.
Next up was this series about a psychiatrist colleague of Dr. Casey. Meta Rosenberg offered the lead in "The Breaking Point" to Cliff Robertson, but he turned her down again. She then offered the role to Peter Falk, who wasn't interested either. Meta then found the perfect candidate: twenty-six year old Robert Redford.
Redford might have made the same kind of dazzling impression that Vince Edwards had. But he wasn't interested.
Paul Richards finally got the role of the hero psychiatrist, and he was superb. Richards gave one of that seasons most compelling new series performances, along with George C. Scott in "East Side, West Side" and David Janssen in "The Fugitive".
"The Breaking Point" was almost as well done as "Ben Casey", and that is high praise.
Cliff Robertson guest starred as a young executive compulsively making love to one beautiful woman after another in "So Many Pretty Girls, So Little Time". The script was by Robert Towne ("Chinatown").
Robert Redford was excellent in another episode as an arrogant member of a group therapy session. Marisa Pavan and Jack Weston were also in the group.
Rip Torn played a man like "The Great Imposter" who goes from job to job fooling people into thinking he is an attorney or a minister or what have you. Torn tells Paul Richards his next impersonation may be as a psychiatrist. Rip Torn is another actor who could have been fascinating as the hero of "The Breaking Point".
Lou Antonio played a sensitive young man whose masculinity is made fun of by his stereotypically hyper masculine brother (Ralph Meeker). Mariette Hartley is a lovely young woman who Antonio is tentatively drawn to. And Meeker may be overcompensating to hide doubts about his own sexuality. Written by Ernest Kinoy.
Robert Ryan played a Hemingway - like writer who is deeply troubled by losing his powers as he ages. Ryan questions if Paul Richards has the intellectual and spiritual resources to go toe to toe with a great man like himself. Bettye Ackerman ("Ben Casey") played Ryan's wife. Written by Shimon Wincelberg ("Naked City", "Have Gun Will Travel") and Morton Fine ("The Pawnbroker", "I Spy").
James Daly played a man with a pathological hatred of Japanese people in a dark, chilling episode. Daly had been a pilot who dropped atomic bonds on Japan. I've never seen Daly so intense or unlikable.
Other fine guest stars included Edmond O'Brien, Telly Savalas, Eleanor Parker, John Cassavetes, Joey Heatherton, Bradford Dillman, Kathy Nolan, Anthony Franciosa, Gena Rowlands, and James Caan.
"The Breaking Point" was on during the 1963-64 season, the same year as "The Richard Boone Show" and "East Side, West Side". A fine year for TV series drama. TV Guide critic Cleveland Amory said the most letters he got that year complaining about fine shows being canceled was for "The Breaking Point".
Meta Rosenberg also helped develop the marvelous "Slattery's People", where Richard Crenna gave a career changing dramatic performance as a hard nosed but idealistic politician. Bing Crosby Productions was one of the best, classiest production companies of its time. It produced three great drama series as well as "Hogan's Heroes".
Meta Rosenberg led an extraordinary life. There is a delightful interview with her on YouTube.
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